Jack Sikma

The Big Man Who Changed the Center Position

Some centers dominated with power. Jack Sikma dominated with skill.

With one of the deadliest jump shots for a big man, Sikma revolutionized the role of the center by stretching the floor decades before it became the norm. A seven-time All-Star, NBA champion, and elite rebounder, Sikma proved that footwork, shooting, and high basketball IQ were just as important as brute strength.

A leader on both ends of the floor, he helped the Seattle SuperSonics win their first and only NBA championship while paving the way for modern stretch bigs like Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and Nikola Jokić.

From Small College Star to NBA Champion

Born in 1955 in Kankakee, Illinois, Jack Sikma wasn’t a blue-chip recruit, but he worked relentlessly to develop his game.

Played college basketball at Illinois Wesleyan University, a small NAIA school.
Despite playing against lesser-known competition, he dominated, averaging 21.2 points and 13.1 rebounds over his career.
Earned NAIA All-American honors three times and led Illinois Wesleyan to multiple deep tournament runs.
Drafted eighth overall in the 1977 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics—one of the biggest steals of the decade.

Few expected Sikma to become one of the most versatile big men in NBA history—but he proved them all wrong.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Sikma was one of the most consistent and fundamentally sound big men in the league.

NBA Champion (1979).
Seven-time NBA All-Star (1979-1985).
All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982).
NBA Free-Throw Percentage Leader (1988) – unheard of for a center.
Career Averages: 15.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game.
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

While his numbers were excellent, his impact was even greater—he changed how big men played the game.

The Big Man with a Shooter’s Touch

Sikma wasn’t your typical 1970s and 1980s center—he didn’t just post up in the paint.

Developed the "Sikma Move"—a reverse pivot fadeaway jumper that was impossible to guard.
Was one of the first centers to step out and hit long-range shots with consistency.
Had elite footwork, allowing him to score against bigger and stronger defenders.
Became one of the best free-throw shooting big men in NBA history, finishing with an 84.9% career FT percentage.

Decades before Dirk Nowitzki made the one-legged fadeaway famous, Sikma was perfecting his own version of it.

Two Moments That Define Jack Sikma

Winning the 1979 NBA Championship – Leading the SuperSonics to Glory

In just his second NBA season, Sikma helped lead the Seattle SuperSonics to their first and only championship.

Averaged 14.8 points and 11.7 rebounds in the 1979 NBA Finals against the Washington Bullets.
Was Seattle’s defensive anchor, shutting down Hall of Fame big men Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes.
Helped the Sonics win the series 4-1, securing their place in NBA history.

For a franchise that never won another championship, Sikma’s role in 1979 remains one of Seattle’s greatest sports moments.

Reinventing Himself in Milwaukee – The Evolution of a Big Man

In the mid-1980s, Sikma adapted his game once again.

After being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1986, he developed into one of the best shooting big men in the league.
In 1988, he led the NBA in free-throw percentage (92.2%)—unheard of for a center.
Became a critical piece for a Milwaukee team that made deep playoff runs in the late ‘80s.

By the time he retired, he had influenced an entire generation of big men who realized they didn’t have to play only in the paint.

Jack Sikma’s Most Iconic Basketball Cards

1978 Topps Jack Sikma Rookie Card

The most valuable and sought-after Sikma card, featuring him as a young center on the rise.

1979 Topps Jack Sikma Championship Season Card

From his legendary season with the Seattle SuperSonics, marking their only NBA title.

1988 Fleer Jack Sikma Milwaukee Bucks Card

Commemorates his transition into one of the best shooting big men in the league.

Why Jack Sikma’s Legacy Still Matters Today

Jack Sikma wasn’t just a great player—he changed the way big men play the game.

He was one of the first true stretch bigs, paving the way for modern centers like Nikola Jokić and Karl-Anthony Towns.
He proved that footwork and skill could be just as valuable as brute strength in the post.
He helped redefine free-throw shooting for big men, proving that centers didn’t have to be liabilities at the line.
He led the only championship team in Seattle SuperSonics history, making him a legend in the Pacific Northwest.

Sikma’s quiet dominance and innovation left a lasting mark on the game.